Student nurses can expect to be spat at, kicked and punched during their training, experts have found.
Researchers at Stirling University said every junior nursing medic who took part in their study had experienced violence during four-year placements.
Unions and politicians have labelled the findings “appalling” and called for better support.
Eileen McKenna, associate director at Royal College of Nursing Scotland, said: “It is extremely concerning to read that some students felt they were being discouraged to report incidents or were told it was just part of the job.
“If this is the experience of students, many could be discouraged from their practice area or put off nursing completely.
“In light of record-high nursing vacancies in the NHS and in social care, we need to do everything possible to retain student nurses to complete their placements and become the nurses of the future.”
Nearly 140 mostly women student nurses participated in the study, published last week in the Nurse Education in Practice journal.
Over three-quarters (77 per cent) said they had experienced verbal abuse while on placements.
And 70 per cent said they had been hit, grabbed, kicked and spat at.
Student nurses said most of the abuse came at the hands of patients with mental illnesses.
The students said the attacks left them feeling anxious.
But some also felt the attacks made them feel like they were “incompetent” at their jobs.
A quarter of the trainee nurses said they did not feel supported after they were attacked.
The report said: “This study indicates that there is a high prevalence of violence experienced by student nurses.
“There is scope to provide more training and support for them to deal with frequent incidents of violence.”
There are over 4800 Scottish Government-funded degree nurse and midwife students.
Matt Crilly, president of NUS Scotland, said: “NUS Scotland takes a zero-tolerance approach against any form of abuse and would expect the same from all universities and NHS bosses.”
Scottish Conservative Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: “This is appalling.
The Scottish Conservatives would crackdown on those who think this behaviour is acceptable by doubling the maximum jail time for those who assault emergency workers.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Any form of abuse is unacceptable.
"But students are given training in relation to dealing with aggressive situations should they arise.
“We encourage students who experience abuse to seek support from their supervisor or assessor.”
